Previous posts for March 15th may be found here: Claudio Monteverdi (2019), Michael William Balfe (2020), Claudio Monteverdi (2021), Claudio Monteverdi (2022), and Mike Oldfield (2023)
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Claudio Monteverdi (bapt. 15 May 1567 – 29 November 1643) was, by any measure, one of the greatest composers of all time. We do not know his date of birth, however he was baptized on May 15th.
You Say Prima, I Say Seconda
In 1600 and 1603, Artusi attacked the "crudities" and "license" shown in the works of a composer he initially refused to name (it was Claudio Monteverdi). – Wikipedia, s.v. “Giovanni Artusi“
In his settings of text he unfurled
New heights of expression, and hurled
A gauntlet which taunted
The timid who wanted
A pre-Monteverdian world.
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Stephen Heller (15 May 1813 – 14 January 1888) was a Hungarian pianist, teacher, and composer
Been There, Done That
He outlived his reputation, and was a near-forgotten figure at his death in 1888. – Wikipedia
Heller was a prolific composer for the piano and his studies remain popular with music teachers and students. – Wikipedia
Fate can sometimes get it wrong,
And one is doomed to live too long;
And thus it was for Stephen Heller,
Whose early life was truly stellar,
But lived so long, (and this is rotten),
That he was doomed to die forgotten.
And yet, his name, through Fate’s caprices,
Is still extant on piano pieces
Which, though they may be tested winners,
Make Heller hell for young beginners.
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